Wire-Wrapped Pendant

STEP 1

Using side-cutting pliers, cut four 12-inch lengths of square wire. Using a polishing cloth, smooth the length of each piece of wire until they are straight.

STEP 2

Lay all four pieces side by side and, using a ruler, find the center of the wire. Make a mark at the center with a felt-tipped marker. Take one small piece of masking tape or quilter's 1/4 inch masking tape, and, at approximately 1/2 inch from center, wrap all four lengths of wire together, keeping them side by side. Place another piece of tape approximately 1/2 inch from the other side of the center mark.

STEP 3

Cut five 6-inch lengths of half-round wire.

STEP 4

On one end of one length of wire, using flat-nose pliers, bend 1/4 inch of the wire into a "U" shape. Hook this "U" shape over the four lengths of wire, approximately 1/8 inch from the center mark. Bend the wire around the four lengths to hold them in place. Continue wrapping the wire, flattening the half-round wire against the square wire using the flat-nose pliers, working toward the center mark. Wrap the wire ten times, ending on the same side as the other end, making sure that the ends are not showing from the front.

STEP 5

Measure 1-1/2 inches from each end of this wrap and make a mark with the felt-tipped pen.

STEP 6

Repeat Step 4.

STEP 7

Measure 1-1/8 inches from each end of the two wraps made in Step 6, and make a mark with the felt-tipped pen.

STEP 8

Repeat Step 4 for five wraps.

STEP 9

Lay the wrapped square wire around the focal piece and form to the shape. Bend the wire so that it fits closely around the shape. Once you have the wire fitted to the shape, you may remove the focal piece so it is not in your way. Pull all of the ends together at the top of the piece and lay all eight ends side by side. Bend two lengths of wire on the front side toward the back. Using the other six lengths, bend and shape the wire around the top of the focal to get them to lie correctly. They need to be as close to each other as they can be.

STEP 10

Tape all six lengths of wire together, using the masking tape, approximately 1/2 inch from the top of the focal.

STEP 11

Cut one length of half-round wire 14 inches long. Bend 1/4 inch of the wire on one end, forming a "U" shape. Hook this "U" shape over the six lengths of wire and begin wrapping 1/8 inch from the focal. Place the focal back in the wire and make sure that it still fits the shape. Make any adjustments at this time. You may remove the piece again or work with it in the wire.

STEP 12

Wrap for 1-3/4 inches. You will have wire left to use to join the bail together.

STEP 13

All six lengths should be facing straight up from the top of the focal. Using the mandrel, form a large "U" shape bend with the ends coming down toward the front of the focal. Bend the wire in at the top of the focal so that they meet from front to back. This is where you will join together to form the bail.

STEP 14

Continue to wrap the wire, covering the rest of the wire down to the focal. End on the back of the wrap, making sure that the ends are trimmed and do not show from the front.

STEP 15

Place the focal back into the wire, if it isn't already. Using the flat-nose pliers, bend and shape the wire around the edges of the focal. Shape one length of wire at a time using only the outside lengths. They will need to be bent over the front and the back of the focal to hold it in place. Make your own designs and shapes to conform to the shape of the focal piece. You may need to bend in different directions to make sure that the wire is holding the focal in place securely.

STEP 16

Take the two pieces of wire on the back side of the focal piece, which you bent around from the front, and form a spiral on each end. Make the spirals different lengths, and work them toward each other. Bend and shape them to fit against the back of the focal. They should be in the center of the back.

STEP 17

Bend and shape the other six ends of wire across the front of the focal in a fan shape. Cut each one a different length, some short and others longer. Bend and form these ends to fit the shape of the front of the focal.

STEP 18

Cut four of the longer ends of wire at an angle, add a drop of glue to each of the ends then place a crystal onto each one.

Creating the Necklace

STEP 1

Using the side-cutting pliers, cut a 28-inch length of Accu-Flex® professional-quality beading wire. String onto the wire one crimp tube, a 1/2 inch piece of French wire and the loop on one half of the clasp. Pass the wire back through the crimp, leaving one end of the wire approximately 1-inch long. Pull the crimp tight against the French wire and the clasp so the French wire is shaped into a nicely curved tube. Place a small amount of gel adhesive inside the crimp (optional).

Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using side-cutting pliers, trim the excess wire from the short end.

STEP 2

String onto the beading wire one of each of the following:

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

6mm white magnesite bead

4mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

8mm white magnesite bead

6mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

8mm white magnesite bead

6mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

8mm white magnesite bead

STEP 3

Continue to string onto the beading wire one of each of the following:

6mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

8mm white magnesite bead

6mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

8mm white magnesite bead

6mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

10mm white magnesite bead

8mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

10mm white magnesite bead

8mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

10mm white magnesite bead

8mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

10mm white magnesite bead

8mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

12mm white magnesite bead

10mm turquoise blue magnesite bead

12mm white magnesite bead

8mm aurum 2X bicone crystal

12mm white magnesite bead

STEP 4

String onto the wire one 6mm white magnesite bead and the elephant pendant.

STEP 5

String onto the wire one 6mm white magnesite beads then repeat Step 3 and Step 2, backwards, to create the second half of the strand in a mirror image of the first half of the strand.

STEP 6

String on one crimp tube, a 1/2 inch piece of French wire and the loop on the second half of the clasp. Pass the wire back through the crimp tube, then pull the wire snugly so the crimp and the French wire are closer to the clasp and the French wire is formed into a nicely curved tube. Make sure there is no slack along the entire length of the necklace, yet it is not so tight that the necklace is rigid. Place a small amount of adhesive inside the crimp (optional).

Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using side-cutting pliers, trim the excess wire from the end.

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encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.